20 PROJECTS, 20 DAYS
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AND YOUTH IN CAMBODIA THROUGH “OUR CITY FESTIVAL”
Our City Festival is Cambodia’s first and only public festival to bring together creatives in Cambodian cities to focus on urbanism and its influence on contemporary culture.
After years of war and devastation, many Cambodian creatives are focusing on building the future. The cultural and creative fields are pioneering concepts to develop cities, empower citizens and participate in global innovation. Without government or institutional support these cultural activities rely entirely on personal contributions and sponsorship. Our City Festival 2014 needs financial support to fund projects by artists, architects and designers to imagine a better future.
Over 20 days we are asking for $8000 to support 20 projects.
![]()
We believe that creativity is essential to a diverse and vibrant city making it a better place to live.
Our City Festival (OCF) brings together artists, curators, architects, designers and the wider public to create, celebrate and look critically at the development of cities and communities in Cambodia. Through art and architecture themed events, exhibitions, conferences, performances, screenings, educational workshops and the active involvement of the youth and citizens, OCF fosters creation and discussion in a spirit of accessibility, learning and innovation for all.
![]()
(Public Square, Anida Yoeu Ali, OCF2011)
OCF strongly believes that change is led by the creative forces of a city and the festival aims to empower that process. It is a platform for Cambodian creatives and youth to celebrate their own voice, create their own vision, ignite their imaginations and engage the public.
OUR CITY FESTIVAL IN 2014
For its 6th edition, OCF will span across the country to include three of the largest cities in Cambodia - Phnom Penh, Battambang and Siem Reap - from 16-23 of January 2014. An exhibition of creative projects will be showcased with pop up events and exhibitions happening around each city with our festival partners.
Current festival partners include: Amrita Performing Arts, Apexart, ChildSafe International, Epic Arts, Institut Francais, Meta House, UNESCO, UN Habitat, and more to be announced with the final program!
![]()
(Kaley, the giant crocodile, Pich Sopheap, 2012)
![]()
(Water, curse or blessing?!, AEDES, 2012)
YOUTH PARTICIPATION
Our City Festival is invested in youth and their participation in city-making. In 2012, the festival launched the Youth Ambassadors Program offering opportunities to Cambodian students to get involved with projects, the festival and workshops that expand their experiences of the city and the impacts of the decisions they make on a daily basis. We have a strong focus on accessibility and reach out to young populations to attend and participate in the festival. Support youth and build the future!
![]()
(Youth Ambassadors and Princess Soma Norodom, 2012)
YOUR SUPPORT: 20 PROJECTS, 20 DAYS
We need $8000 more to fund all the festival projects and have only 20 days to raise it! With $8000 we can support 20 projects in the festival.
We believe that everyone’s contribution will help make Our City Festival a truly accessible and dynamic festival of art, architecture and ideas. Financial support is very important and necessary. While the festival is founded on community and volunteer participation, there are also hard costs involved. Financial contributions will help cover the costs associated with art production, events and a small team across Phnom Penh, Battambang and Siem Reap.
Help us to make this happen!
WHO WE ARE
Since launching in 2008, OCF has presented over 100 projects at 60 sites, and worked with 500 participants in Cambodia. It is initiated and powered by JavaArts, a non-profit cultural enterprise that started in 2000 in Phnom Penh, where it operates as a gallery, residency program and art space.
The Our City Festival 2014 team hail from around the world, with experience in arts, arts management and curating.
CITY CURATORS: City Curator: Phnom Penh, Sovan Philong; City Curator: Battambang, Mao Soviet; City Co-curators: Siem Reap, Oun Savann and Sasha Constable
PRODUCTION TEAM: Artistic Director and Founder, Dana Langlois; Marketing and Communications Manager, Daen Kelly; Partnership and Volunteer Manager, Olivia Wynne; Events Manager, Michelle O’Brien; Assistant Producers, Hang Sokunthea and Sok Kimheng
![]()
(Urban Lab interns, 2012)
Our City Festival is supported in part by the U.S. Embassy and ANZ Royal.
